…announces establishment of modern orphanage, 7 federal institutions in Zaria
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, on Friday, disbursed a total of N5 billion as scholarships to 30,000 students from the North-West geopolitical zone, studying at various tertiary institutions.
Out of 30,000 beneficiaries, 7,000 were drawn from Kaduna State, while the rest were from the six remaining states from the North West.
As the event was ongoing, many of the students broke into jubilations as they began to receive bank alerts, indicating the payment of the scholarship. A few of the students mounted the stage to break the news. The scholarship ranges from 200,000 to 800,000 depending on the students’ courses of study.
The scholarship is to facilitate the students’ tuition fees, and the provision of books and stipends. The students were drawn from the seven north-western states of Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
The event was held at the newly established Federal University of Education, Zaria. It was attended by dignitaries such as the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, who was represented; the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Liman Dahiru; the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal Abbas; the APC National Vice-Chairman, North-West, Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad; the DG, SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii; the MD/CEO, Microvis Micro Finance Bank, Mr. Kayode Akinade; Chairman, Zaria Local Government, Engr. Jamil Ahmad Mohammed, among many others.
Hundreds of students from the North-West zone who hailed the Speaker throughout the event were also present. The disbursement was facilitated through the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in collaboration with Microvis Micro Finance Bank.
This is even as the Speaker announced the establishment of a modern orphanage in Zaria, which he said is “a project that is very close to my soul.”
Speaking at the occasion, an elated Speaker Abbas, who began his career as a teacher, described the event as “an ambitious education intervention programme that will touch thousands of lives across the North-West geopolitical zone, noting that it is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
“This is an unprecedented initiative in our region’s history. These scholarships will benefit bright young men and women from Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, every corner of the North-West. This is a truly grand endeavour, covering all seven states of our zone and uniting us in the pursuit of knowledge and progress.
“What makes this scholarship programme special is not just its scale, but its focus. We are directing support to students pursuing courses in critical fields like Medicine, Engineering, Law, and Technology, among others. By doing so, we are investing in Nigeria’s future doctors, engineers, lawyers, and innovators. Our nation urgently needs more professionals in these fields.”
On the modern orphanage, the Speaker said: “In our community-driven efforts, we could not forget the most vulnerable among us: the orphans and abandoned children. We will construct and equip an orphanage that will provide shelter, education, and love to children who have no parents or guardians. The orphanage will not merely be a building; it will symbolise our collective compassion. It is said that in Zaria, every child has a home. These children will have access to education and healthcare, and a caring environment to grow up in so that they too can have hope for a bright future.”
Speaker Abbas admonished the students to “study hard and excel” in their chosen fields, noting that, “This scholarship is not just free tuition or a stipend – it is an opportunity and a responsibility. It embodies the hope of an entire community and indeed an entire region that is invested in your dreams. I encourage you all to seize this opportunity with both hands.”
“Whether you become a surgeon saving lives, an engineer designing highways and bridges, a lawyer championing justice, or a tech expert creating jobs, do it with excellence and integrity. Make us proud and be worthy ambassadors of this programme and your communities. We are counting on you to shine, and I have every confidence that you will.”
Speaker Abbas recalled that as part of his efforts in making sure that students from his constituency and beyond gain access to quality education, “This year, we proudly sponsored 6,000 students across all public secondary schools in Zaria by covering their NECO, WAEC, and JAMB fees for the 2023/2024 academic year.
“Looking forward to the 2024/2025 academic year, we have made significant strides in our efforts by raising the number to 8,000 students for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations. These initiatives are crucial as they enhance access to education by alleviating exam fees for students from public secondary schools. By doing so, we are effectively reducing financial barriers, enabling students to concentrate on their studies without the burden of financial worries.”
In addition to exam sponsorship, the Speaker added: “We have prioritized the provision of education grants through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN). These grants aim to support skills acquisition and empower small educational enterprises for youth and women, thus integrating education with entrepreneurship.”
He said his interventions are not limited to the North, noting that, “In the spirit of national unity and inclusive development, we have also supported schools and institutions in Kwara, Ondo, Imo, and Bayelsa states. From the South-West to the South-East, from North-Central to the South-South, we are sending a clear message: every Nigerian child deserves a quality education, no matter where they live.”
He said in an effort to improve the learning environment in both primary and secondary schools in his constituency, over 110 primary schools and 40 secondary schools have been renovated and upgraded. “In fact, as we speak, work is ongoing in well over a hundred schools, and even more are slated for upgrades. This is an investment in the very foundation of our educational pyramid, ensuring that the next generation begins their journey in a supportive environment.”
Speaker Abbas said beyond individual scholarships and school improvements, strengthening the educational institutions has in his constituency has been a cornerstone of his agenda, which is why some developmental projects were attracted to institutions such as the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT); the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), and the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), as well as the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic and other colleges.
“I am delighted to announce that under my stewardship, Zaria is slated to host seven new federal institutions as part of the 2025 budget. Some of these exciting projects are: Federal College of Agriculture; Federal Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Institute; Federal Technical College; Centre for Management Development & Technology Incubation, and School for the Disabled (Primary & Secondary).
“Similarly we have influenced the construction of faculty buildings, hostels, graduation and convocation squares in some tertiary institutions across the country, including Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Kaduna State), Federal University of Technology, Akure (Ondo State), Al-Hikma Islamic University, Ilorin (Kwara State), Federal University, Otuoke,(Bayelsa State) Federal University, Dutse (Jigawa State), Federal University, Dutsinma (Katsina State), Kaduna State University (Kaduna State), Kaduna State Polytechnic (Kaduna State), Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria (Kaduna State), Federal College of Education, Kafanchan (Kaduna State), Federal University of Education, Zaria (Kaduna State), Nigeria Civil Aviation College, Zaria, (Kaduna State).”
The Speaker had earlier in 2024 initiated the development of an Education Village project here in Zaria, valued at about ₦80 billion, involving the construction of a dedicated education hub that would house four brand-new tertiary institutions.
The institutions include: a campus of the National Open University of Nigeria; a new Federal College of Education; a state-of-the-art Federal College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and a college of Legal Studies.
He thanked President Tinubu and Governor Sani for their continued support, even as he showered encomiums on his constituents for believing in him and returning him to the House for a record forth time, pledging to continue attracting people-oriented projects to them.
In a remark, the Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Alhaji Rabiu Yunusa, thanked the Speaker for efforts at making life better for the people of Kaduna State.
The permanent secretary also personally thanked the Speaker for not just being one of his teachers but also granting him a scholarship in the past, which enabled him to become what he is today.
There were goodwill messages from the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, the Minister of Environment, the DG, SMEDAN, among others.
Signed:
